Open Call
for policy paper
Topic: “Economic Governance as a new benchmark in the EU
integration of the Western Balkans”.
Terms of reference
Termat e referencës
Aplication starting: 2 March 2015
Deadline: 9 March 2015
Send your aplication at: excellence@mfa.gov.al
Terms of reference for policy paper
The Center of Excellence of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking to
engage a consultant to carry out research and author a 10 page paper on the topic
“Economic Governance as a new benchmark in the EU integration of the Western
Balkans in the EU”. The policy paper will form part of a larger dossier on the relations
among Albania, the Western Balkans countries, and the EU.
The consultant would be expected to contribute to the analysis of the economic
governance as a new requirement from the EU and one of the key pillars of the
Western Balkan countries’ enlargement agenda:
Specifically the consultant is expected to address these issues:
 Elaborate the concept “economic governance “and contextualize it in the Western
Balkan region.
 Economic surveillance of enlargement countries is being strengthened and
broadened;
 Implications of the new focus on economic governance for Western Balkans;
 Dialogue between EC and WB countries based on National Economic Reform
Programmes;
 Structural problems and the economy of the individual WB countries;
 Structural reforms to foster economic growth and competitiveness in the WB;
 Competitiveness and Growth Programmes to focus on the short to medium term
priority reforms;
 Technical assistance to support the implementation of recommendations and
support the reform process through sector support;
 Critical areas and measures for reforms in the WB countries and external
vulnerabilities/obstacles to growth;
 Correlation between Economic Governance and Connectivity in the Western
Balkans;
 The economic ties with the region, and whether these live up to their potential;
 Set out the literature what have been done so far in the region concerning this
topic;
The selected consultant must have the following experience:
Graduate research experience;
Experience in writing academic and policy papers;
Experience in collecting and analyzing data;
Competency in using a variety of methodological tools and research instruments;
Materials (to be delivered):
The policy paper will be produced for the Albanian MFA. Wider dissemination is
possible, upon approval and in compliance with conditions set by the Albanian MFA.
The paper shall be written in English and should not exceed 10 pages: font: Times
New Roman; size: 11. Its content will be finalized in consultation with the Albanian
MFA.
The work performed by the consultant is estimated at 20 working days. The Albanian
MFA shall pay 1.000 USD for this consultancy. The researcher will be supported by
the MFA staff, including diplomatic and consular staff currently serving in Albania’s
missions abroad.
Those interested are invited to send their CV accompanied by a research plan setting
out relevant experience and skills, work plan, timeline and methodology, by March 9,
2015, to excellence@mfa.gov.al.
Please write “Economic Governance”, in the subject of the e-mail.